American Farriers Journal
American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
9 Critical Propane Safety Tips
Avoid potentially volatile situations by understanding the gas and frequent checks
Farrier Takeaways
- Propane will seek the lowest area it can and accumulate there, creating a danger for combustion.
- Although the ignition temperature is 920 to 1,020 degrees Fahrenheit, flash fires can happen when a heat source is greater than 900 degrees.
- Soapy water that’s sprayed on hoses and fittings will help you detect leaks.
- Do not try to repair or patch a hose with tape. Duct, electrical or clear packing tape does not meet the 300 psi rating required to contain gas.
This article was last updated July 2026.
Since farriers use gas forges daily, it's easy to become complacent and operate on autopilot.
An incident in which a farrier was seriously burned while refilling his propane tank serves as a stark safety reminder to all farriers and blacksmiths who carry a gas forge and propane tank in a vehicle.
“The man had been shoeing horses in the morning and had stopped … to refill a large propane tank mounted under the canopy,” according to the Salmon Arm (British Columbia) Observer newspaper. “He was disconnecting the filling line from the propane tank, which was close to a
small forge.”
Propane is a liquefied petroleum gas — or LPG — that is compressed and stored as a liquid. It’s primarily a byproduct of domestic natural gas processing, although some is produced from the refinement of crude oil.
Propane forges…
Premium content is for our Digital-only and Premium subscribers. A Print-only subscription doesn't qualify. Please purchase/upgrade a subscription with the Digital product to get access to all American Farriers Journal content and archives online.
Top Articles
Current Issue
Basic Farriery Keeps Horses Sound & Balanced
Optimizing Biomechanical Horseshoe Adjustment
Measuring Up
Current Issue
Special Report For Equine Veterinarians
American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
Must Read Free Eguides
Download these helpful knowledge building tools
- Spring Hoof Care
- Caring for Your Horse During a Pandemic
- CBD Products Have Promise for Farriers, but Buyer Beware
- Sharpening Knives with a Buffer
Videos
Organized & Efficient to Better Serve Farriers w/Oleo Acres: 2025 Supply Shop of the Year
Oleo Acres Farrier and Blacksmith Supply owner Rob Michel walks viewers through the Littleton, Colo., warehouse. Inventory is organized with the customer in mind. If the product is in stock and easy to find, farriers can spend more time under a horse, which Michel says is more money in your pocket.
Events
PPID & the Seasonal Rise
Date: 09/02/26
Location:
View Event
Top Directory Listings
Doc Foal's | The Black Pads
At Doc Foal's, we manufacture The Black Pads and The Black Pads PLUS (featuring embedded magnets and copper). Our hybrid pads work seamlessly with your choice of conventional horseshoe, combining metal for structure with polyurethane for exceptional comfort and shock absorption.
Designed as a...
Sunrise Farrier Supply
We are here to support you.
We stock a wide range of high-quality products from trusted brands to ensure durability, performance, and reliability in every job you undertake. Our extensive inventory of horseshoe products and farrier tools means you can find everything you need in one place, saving you time and effort. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We are committed to providing excellent customer service, prompt shipping, and hassle-free returns.
Equilox International
Equilox International Inc. specializes in equine horse hoof adhesives. Developed in 1988 after many trials and extensive research at leading universities and equine centers throughout the U.S., the Equilox Adhesive Hoof Repair System was originally used to treat competitive horses. Now, Equilox Adhesive is used by farriers, equine centers, and horse owners — as well as various zoo and wildlife centers — throughout the world.